Summer in December

[Glenn B]

December 3 was one of those memorable days that you just don’t want to end.  Although water temperatures here in Maryland have been plummeting for the past seven to eight weeks (now in the high 40’s), today had all the feel (almost) of a mellow summer day.

Pulled up to the beach at 9:30 this morning with no expectation of anything more than the predicted glassy “ankle to knee” forecast, wondering if there would even be any rideable bumps.  Parked at the end of the street on the backside of a grassy dune, opened the door, and was immediately welcomed by the unmistakable CRACK of shorebreak on the other side.

My planned one-hour respite from work turned into a 2.5 hour surf session.  Waist-to-chest sets, with an occasional head high gem rolling through.  GLASSY and mellow waves, but with the larger sets walled-up just enough to keep things interesting.  Winter-time weekday “crowd” for this surprise swell meant that there were maybe a dozen proners spread out over 300 yards, with the majority working the same couple of peaks.  One other SUSer out whom I know, and another whom I don’t (in photo) who paddled out as I was leaving.   

Exiting the wetsuit outside the vehicle in December is usually a fairly frantic affair here.  Doing so in today’s 60-degree air temperature was an enjoyable way to cap off an unexpectedly perfect morning.  So much so that I walked back over the dune after donning the work clothes and snapped a few pics to remember it by . . .

[raf]

Fun time up here in Maine yesterday too.  Air temps hit 50, no gloves, no hood, hot in a 4/3. 

[supthecreek]

Glenn B
I like your priorities... 1 hr turned into a 2.5 hr session

I walked back over the dune after donning the work clothes and snapped a few pics to remember it by.  ....that's how you enjoy winter!!!

[Glenn B]

Raf - No gloves in Maine? In December?  What's your water temp?  I think it was 49 degrees here yesterday.  Last year we reached a low of 40 in the surf; the year before I had several February sessions when it was 33! 

SupTheCreek - thanks.   You actually were the inspiration for yesterday's mini photo documentary.  I've enjoyed your reports and photos, and thought 'that seems like fun, I'll record my stoke too.'

Regards,
Glenn